Mining machine



Aug'; 14, 1928.

, T. E. PRAY MINING MACHINE Original Filed Nov. 16, 1925 7 Sheets*Sheet 3 gggenor J7 omc/5 ra Yzzwa g EL y /fw f MUM l T. E. PRAY MINING MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Nov. 16, 1925 f m w f a. f 0 @nj/M VE w w 5, a n ./.aas h Q M .l /b Hl m. u@ L. l fm@ n@ M Q I. l l QN\ \I m s\ HM NY v m u Tm? mw. mm Si KS V I@ .www

T. E. PRAY MINING MACHNE Original Filed Nov. 16, 1925- 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 14, 1928.

Driginal Filed Nov.l6, 1925 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Zr/1955 MM Aug. 14, 192s.

T. E. PRAY MINING MACHINE "f sheets-sheet 7 OrignaI Filed Nov. 16, 1925 for fw f Patented Aug. 1,4, 192s.Y

n*Ul'aifrrqj SiTAms PATENT OFFICE.

' moms n ,mi or cmcneo, ILLInoxs, AssIGNon To GOODMAN MANUFACTURING conrm, orjcmcneo, Immersa conronn'rlon on rumors.

`:arance MACHINE.

nppneena nealrevember 1e, 1925, serial No. 69,228. Renewed september 15, laas. i

This invention relates te mining machines and more panicularl to mining machines of the type common known as the continuous cutter coal mining machines: which are adapted to be moved laterally across the wall of a mine to a horizontal-kerf thereunder. More 4specifically, my 'Y invenl tion relates to machines o the class dewscribedespecially adapted for use in thin `seams of coal, and has for its principal objectv 'to produce an improvedfconstruction purpose.A

and arrangement of parts for this `0ther`objects ofthe invention wil appear from time to time aek the ldescription proceeds. il

The invention consists in the combination, construction, and arrangement of `partsas willhereinafterbe described in connectlon 4with the accom n 'ing drawings, and more particularly de n lin' the lappended claims.

In these drawings: l y Figure 1 is a plan `view of thegmachine, with the gear y housing cover removed to showl the parte thereunder;

Figure 2 is a machine; v n

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional View .i taken through 2Figure 1 on line 3-3 thereof;

i `.show details of a sweeping device for c ear- Figure llis an enlargeddetailplan View housing` cover removed, and parts omitted; Figure 5 is a sectional view taken through taken on line 6-6 of Figure 4; y,

Figure 7 is a plan view ofthe rearward portion taken on line 7-7 of Figure 4 of the machine, `with parts broken awa to ing away the 'slack cuttings; and 'Y Figure 8 is a sideelevation of the rearward :portion of. the machine with parts Referring now to the details of the m draw invention is shown as applied toa mining machine having a` mainframe A,

with" a cuttingelement lprojectingthere from. This cutting `element is preferably provided with an endlessl cutter" chain of the usual pattern, which is driven by a m0- tor B to cut a horizontal kerf in the mine `wall as the machine is Vmoved by suitable draft" devices in the ordinary and well ropev passes y 'ght sideelevation of the l Aof thefront ofthe machine with the gearl known manner of machines of this type. l

Figure l shows the arrangement of the machine and control ropes during the normal t cutting operation across the working face. A rope 2 is adapted to be wound on a drum 3, mounted onthe left side ofthe machine frame A near the forward end thereof and is rotatable `upon a transverse axis. The from said drum over a pulley 4 adjacent the front end of the frame, and thence to a suitable anchor vnear the Workingface along which the machine is tobe moved.` Asecondrope is anchored at the opposite Aend of the working face and is arranged over vsuitably arranged pulleys 7 and 8 at the side and rear end of the machine frame, to a second drum 9, at the right side of the machineand also vrotatable on a transverse axis. VThe arrangementis such that in the normal cutting position illustrated in this figure, the rope'drum 3 is connected tothe motor B by driving mechanism which will be hereinafter described.4 Theopposite `drum 9 is disconnected from the drivingfmeehanism, and during rthe cut acrossv the face, is releasedV at a rate sub` stantially the same as the rate of take up on4 the rope 2, by means of an adjustablefriction band device 10 on the drum 9. The purpose of the rope 6 during this part of the cutting ,movement is to Vrestrain` the movement of the rearend of the machine, and maintain `the proper angular relation of thencutter bar. to the'working face.

Asfwill hereinafter more fully appear, means are also provided for reversing the normal functions of the two drums' above described, whereby n drum 9` may vhave a driving connection with the motor, and the other drum 3 may be released through a" friction device 11 similar to the `friction device lOZabove pointed out.

`The main elements of the driving mechaf f nism for the two feed rope drums 3 and 9 ,e

`will now be described v,Afshaft 12 having suitable bearing si1pports! 13 'and'll'is arranged longitudinally s of the motor. Y Said motor is preferably of posed armature shaft 16 provided withan within a main gear housing 15 forwardly Y armature Vpinion 17, at Aits forward end,

,meshedvwithgear 1,8'keyed on the rear end ofthe longitudinal shaft 12.` Adjacent the i forward end of said longitudinal shaft and.

mounted concentric thereon is a planetary reduction gearing device consisting of a sun gear 2O keyed on the longitudinal shaft and meshed with a plurality of planetary gears 21, 21, carried on a cage 22 loosely mounted for rotation on the shaft 12. Said cage is provided with a huh 23. having a pinion 24 with integral sleeve feathered thereon for limited longitudinal movement. A casing 2G surrounds the cage 22 and planetary gears 2l, 21, and has a hub portion 29 loosely mounted for rotation upon the hub 25 of the pinion 24. Said hub has exterior bearing in a bearing support 29 integral with the gear housing frame 15. The casing 26 is normally restrained from rotation by means of a suitable friction band 32 which is actuatedlby controlling means comprising the usual tightening lever system (not shown) connected with an actuating arm 33, a bell crank lever 34, link 35 and control rod 3G extending rearwardly at one side of the.

motor casing b, as best shown in Figures 4 and 7.

This arrangenient of the .planetary gearing affords a driving connection wherein the cage 22 is driven at a reduced speed when the casing 2G is restrained from rotation by means of the friction band 32. lation of the friction band further reduction in driving speed may be afforded when de sired. The principal advantage of the frietion control of the planetary however, is that afforded in case of unusual and excessive loads upon the feed mechanism as for instance when unusually heavy cutting is encountered in which case the tension of the friction band on the easing 2G is such as to permit the latter to slip and thereby release the load somewhat and minimize the danger of breakage of parts of the gear train.

The pinion 24 which is rotatable with the cage 22 at reduced speed as aforesaid. is meshed with a gear 39 on a stub shaft 40 at one side of and parallel to the longitudinal shaft 12. The gear 39 is adapted to have selective driving rengagement with the shaft 40 through a sliding clutch member 41. as herein shown comprising a longtudinally shiftable collar 42 keyed on said shaft and having an enlarged portion 43 provided with internal teeth adapted to engage with external gear teeth 44 on the end of the hub 39 integral with gear 3S)` as shown in Figure 4. A cylinder clutch device 45 1s mounted on the shaft 12 to provide selective connection between the gear pinion 24 and a shaft 47 supported co-axially with the shaft 12 at the forward end thereof in suitable bearings 4S, 48. The shaft 47 also has driving connection with the stud shaft 40 through gears 50 and 51. keyed on the forward ends of the respective shafts.V An interlocking gear shift arrangement is provided for actuating the two clutches 41 and By manipu-` 45, so while the two are engaged a driving connection is completed from the pinion 24 through gear 39, shaft 4() and gears 51 and 50 to shaft 47 at a relatively slow speed, the hubs 45 being disengaged in this position. ln the other position, the clutches 45 and 41 are disengaged, in which case the shaft 47 rotates with the pinion 24. The interlocking connection for clutches ll and 45 comprises an arm 55. pivoted at 5G and having direct connection at its end with a shifter yoke 57 on clutch member 42 and a link 58 connected with clutch yoke 59 on clutch member 45.

A worm (SO is carried on the shaft 4T and meshed with a worm gear G1 keyed on a collar 62 arranged on atransverse axis. This collar has a sleeve 63 extending therethrough, which sleeve is keyed on a shaft 64. The sleeve 63 and shaft G4 are shift-able longitudinally within the collar G2 to all'ord selective driving connection with either of a pair of gear pinions G5 and GG arranged at opposite sides of the main frame and adapted to afford driving engagement respectively with the feed drums 9 and 3, as shown in Figure G. For this purpose, the opposite ends of the collar G2 are provided with clutch jaws G7 and 68, while the opposite ends of the sleeve G3 are provided with coacting clutch jaws G9 and 70. The adjacent end" of gear pinion member 65 are also provided with coacting clutch jaws 71 and T2. The arrangen'ient is such lthat when in neutral position, as shown in Figure G, the clutch jaw 69 at the left side of the machine adjacent the pinion member G5 is midway bctween the clutch jaws 71 of said pinion member and the adjacent clutch jaws 67 of the collar (32` and similarly. the clutch jaws 70 at the right hand side of the machine ad jacent the pinions G6 are mid my between the. clutch jaws 72 of said pinion member and clutch jaws (38 of the collar (32.

lVhen the shaft l(S4 and sleeve (i3 are shifted in one direction however, a driving connection will be afforded by the collar (i2 and one of the pinion members 65 or 66, as for instance if the direction of the shift is toward the left, the clutch jaws 69 will hccome engaged with clutch jaws 71, while jaws will be engaged -with jaws 68. Similarly, if the collar 69 shifted in the opposite direction, jaws 70 will become disengaged with jaws 68 and become directly engaged with jaws 72. This arrangement. therefore, affords aninterlocking shifting arrangement so that only one of the pinion members G5 and GG may 'be driven at one time. The pinion members 65 and GG are meshed respectively with gears 75 and 7G of the drums 9 and 3. n

As pointed out in connection with the normal operation of a machine of this class, it is desirable to drive one of the feed rope lHS lin

drums so as to wind the cable` thereon, while the other drum is being released under suitably controlled friction retarding means, so as to unwind the cable extending `from the rear end of the frame andacting as a counterbalancing or retarding device to maintain the proper` angular relation 'to the working face. In the embodiment. trated the arrangement is such that the functions of `the drums are reversible` so that either drum may be driven so as to wind the cablethereon, but when not being driven, each drum is provided with a frictional retarding device to control the unwinding of the cable therefrom. This construction of thedrums 3 and 9, in connection with the dprovision of driving connections `associate with the respective gears 75 and 76, and the friction devices 10 and 11 will now be described in detail.` y

In. the construction herein shown` the drums 3 and 9 are identical, tl1e `respective mon bell crank lever `device illustrated,`

which extends toward the rearl of thema- Vchine and is actuated by the arm 33.

Referring new to the cutter chain and the driving connections therefor, said chain comprises a series of blocks 110 and connect,- ing straps 111, of the usual form, moving in guides 112 formed in the cutter bar 1. Said cutter bar is supported on theframe by a pair of clamps-115, 116. The cutter chain passes aboutpa sprocket 117 located near the rear end of the cutter bar and within ahousing or passageway formed beneath the gear housing 15 between the side walls 119 and `118 and the base plate 120; upon which the machine rests orshdes uponthe mine floor. f y.

The sprocket 117 is` keyed on a shaft 125 having bearing in a downwardly projectingr stud 127 formed integrally with the main frame 15, and having:` nbevel gear 128keyed at its upper end `meshing with a bevel pinion 129 loosely mounted on longitudinal.`

shaft 12. A clutch device 130 affords selective driving connection between shaft 1,2 and bevel pinion 129. In the form shown said clutch consists of a sliding clutch me1nber 131 having exterior vteeth 132 adapted to engage with interna] `gear teeth 133 on one end of the hub 134integra1 with the bevel pinion 129. The sliding clutch memillusber 131is shiftable by a'iy'oke 135 on Vshaft 13G arranged transverselyof the :machine and hanvingjV controlling 4means therefor conf. sisting of a lever j arm. 136 connected` to a control rod 137 extending rearwardly along one side ofthe motor; casing Z as best shown in Fgures 4 and 7. f- .v

`Referring now.;to the disposition ofY the cuttings brought'rearwardly by the cutter chain, the specific form of machine illustrated is preferably provided. witha motor of reversible type so as te permit the cutter chain to be driven in either direction. Acf. cordingly, Y the cuttings will be brought",` rearwardly on one `side or the other of the. cutter chain and be deposited along the passageway 'formed between the cutter bar" and the side walls 118 and 119 but with the greatest tendency of` the cuttings to be difb-A charged .and thrown rearwardly by the cut-` ter chain as it passes about the sprocket 117 This sprocket iorms in. effect a fixed guide in which the direction of movement of`the cutter chain is changed. 1 f

One of the objects ofthe-present invention is to provide, in combination with a mining.

machineV constructed in accordance with the foregoing, a means for discharging these cuttings v.as they are brought rearwardly .into the housingsurrounding the cutter arm andV the vcutter chain. sprocket, so that `the. accumulations of .cuttings will not.. clog the machine or be carried back by the cutter chain into the kerf. As shown in Figures 2 and 8, themotor Bis contained in a motor housing b, this housing being somewhat. higher than the base plate 120, upon which the machine rests.` This arrangement pro-V duces -a low passageway 122 extending rearwardly below the motor casing and communicates with, the larger vpassageway formed in front `of the, motor casingand. beneath the gearhousing .15, above the cutter chain. Manifestly, in order` toreduce the height of the entire machine, as low` as possible, commensurate vwith the successful and is capablefof handling a largeamount of cuttings. Y

This sweep or arm forms the subject mat,-y ter of alcompanion application bearing` Serial Number 56,151, filed. September 14, 1925, and will now, together with itsV driving connections, be described.

. The sweep or arm 140 oscillating movement in asubstantially hori- `operation thereof, it is desirable to reduceis adapted vhave iey zontal plane along the base plate 120. In the preferred form shown this sweep is keyed to a shaft 141 having pivotal bearing on a vertical axis near the rear and to one side of the main motor housing Z) so that the sweep is adapted to oscillate through an arc of approximately 90 degrees, with the extreme rearward position thereof coinciding substantially with the rear margin of the bottom plate v120 while its extreme position in the opposite direction is substantially coincident with the side margin of the bottom plate 120. The. sweep may be suitably driven by the motor B, in the form shown, the operating connections comprising a lever arm 145 on the ripper end of the shaft 141 and connected with a link 146 to a lever arm 147, pivotally mounted at 148 in the gear housing 15 forwardly of the motor casing I) as best shown in Figures 4 and 7. The opposite arm of the lever 147 is connected with a link 149 to a crank arm 150 on a vertically disposed shaft 151 having a worm gear 152 thereon meshed with aV worm 153 loosely mounted on the horizontal shaft 40 and being integral with gear 39 which is driven by the gear Q3 as heretofore set forth.

Vith this arrangement the sweep 14() is swung angularly at reduced speed so as to remove the cuttings alternately toward the side and rear of the machine and discharge them as rapidly as they are brought back by the cutter chain.

As a further improvement I construct the end portion of the sweep so as to be eX- tended at one portion of its movement and retracted at another thereby' accommodating itself more approximately to the shape of the discharge passage and cooperating with the cutter chain as it passes about the driving sprocket 117 and thus assist in discharging the cuttings therefrom in the most efficient manner. In the form shown this means comprises a telescoping end portion 157 carrying a lug 158 engaging va fixed guide means 159 and 160, herein shown as flanged pieces secured to the under surface of the motor casing I). The. outer end portion 157 is provided with a guide rod 163 carrying a web 164 at the inner end thereof and extending in a cylinder 165. A tension spring 166is secured in said cylinder between the web 164 and a fixed shoulder 167 in said cylinder, the arrangement being such that the rod 163 and web 164 have a tendency to force the end port-ion 157 outwardly as shown in Figure 7. lVhen the sweep is swung outwardly to its extreme position however, as shown in dotted lines in this figure, the lug 158 engages either of the flanges 159 or 16() to contract the telescoping end portion 157 thus varying the length of the entire sweep to accommodate it to the size of the passage and thus eliminate interference with the moving cutter chainas the sweep swings near the latter.

One of the main advantages; of the construction above described is the provision of an improved forni of mining machine and cuttings removing means so that the entire height of the machin'e may be reduced to a minimum, it being umlerstood that the motor usually forms the largest element on such machines and {hcreforrI to a large degree determines the permissible height ot' the machine. Continuous cutter maehims for mining have heretofore been produced in which the motor casing restr: direi-tlf.' upon the mine floor but in sui-ii instance,-` the cuttings have been discharged through one side of the machine open along the entire length of the cutter arm for this purpose. It will be observed from the comtruc tion illustrated and above described that the lower pcripheries of the power drums la and t) project downwardly a considerable distance so as to make it impossible to provide a discharge passage along the full lrnggth of either side of the machine. I consider it. novel therefore to produce a machine wherein the driving connections are provided with two drums arranged at opposite .sides ot' the machine in position to afford readily reversible draft connections as described but with suitable cuttings discharge meam: lo cated rearwardly of the cutter chain and the cable drums and permitting the arrange ment of the lower boundary of the motor to be at a much lower level than the top of the cutter bar.

Although I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention it will be understood that the construction and arrange ment of the various parts may be altered without departingr from the spirit' and scope of the invention. Furtherniore. I do not. wish to be construed as limiting myx-felt' to the specific construction illustrated except as particularly defined and limited in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a mining machine, a frame, a cutter bar extending forwardly from said frame and having a cutter chain mounted tlrareon, a motor at the rear end of said frame. a longitudinal shaft disposed above said eut ter bar and connected with said motor, 'feel op erating mechanism mounted on said iframe forwardly of said motor, a plamztary gear reduction device mounted comfcntrie-dly with said longitudinal shaft and operaiy irel;v connected with said feed operating` mei-haa nism for driving the same at reduced speed. a driving sprocket for said cutter chain di;-. posed on a vertical axis between said planetary gear and said motor, and gearing con* nections between said longitudinal shaft' and said driving sprocket.

Q. In a mining machine, a frame, a cutter lli Leccese bar extending forwardl'yfrom said 'frame and having a `cutter chain mounted thereon, a motor at the rear end of said frame, .a longitudinal shaft disposed above said cutter bar and .connected with lsaid motor, a pair of feed operating mechanisms mounted on opposite sides of said frame forwardly of said motor, a planetary ear reduction de` a motor at the rear endof said frame, a

longitudinal shaft dis osed above said cutter vbar and connected with said motor, a pair of feed operatin mechanisms mounted on opposite sides o said frameforwardly of said motor, a planetary gear reduction device mounted concentrically with said Vlongitudivnal shaft, means arrangedforwardlyof said planetary gear and aording operative connections with said -feed operating mecha-` nisms for selectively driving either thereof at reduced speed, a driving sprocket for said y cutter chain disposed on avertical axis be` tween said planetary gear and said motor, and gearing connections between said longitudinal shaft and said drivin sprocket. y

4. In a mining machine, `a rame, a cutter bar extending forwardly from said lframe and havinga cutter chain mounted thereiin,` a motor at the rear V,end of1said`frame`,`a d Vabove said cutter longitudinal shaft dis bar andconnected with said motor, a pair of feed `operating mechanisms rotatable on transverse Vaxes on? opposite sides `of said frame forwardly of said motor, afgear re` duction meanson said framebetwoensaid feed operating: mechanisms, said 'geaireducrb tion means i being driven by `said longitudinal shaft and operatively connected with said feed operating mechanisms for selective.V`

1 driving either thereof at reduced speed,` a diiving sprocket for said cutter chaindisposed on a vertical axis between said plane tary gear and said motor, and gearin connections between said longitudinal sha t and said driving-sprocket.

5. In a minin machine, a frame, s cutter bar extending iiirwardly from saidj frame and having a cutterv chainmounted-thereon, a motor atthe rear endof said frame, a longitudinal shaft disposed above saidcutter bariand connected with said motor, feed operating mechanisms mounted'on said frame forwardly of `said motor comprising winding means arranged yon a transverse axis having a flexiblefeedingmeans conneoted therewith, the `peripheries of saidV winding means extending dow' the top of said ,cutter bar, aplanetary gear Areduction device mounted concentrically with said longitudinai shaft and operatively Vconnectedwith said feed operating mechanism for ydriving the same (atreduced speed, a driv;

ing sprocket for saidcutterchain disposed vvon a vertical axis between Vsaid planetary gear and said motor', and caring connectionsjbetween'said longit-u mal-shaft and said driving sprocket.

6. Ina mining machine, a frame, a cutter bar extendingforwardly"from said frame and having a cutter chain mounted there` on, amotor atftherrear end fof said frame,

a longitudinall shaft disposed j above said` 'cutter bar and connected with .said motor,

feed operatingv mechanisms mounted on said frame forwardly of said motor comprising a4 pair of Winding drums arranged on a transverse axis having flexible `feeding means connectedk therewith, the peripheries of said drums extending belowV4 the' top of said cutter bar, a planetary gear reduction .devicel mounted concentricallylwith said longitudinalshaft and operatively connect-l ed with said feed operating meclianismrfor driving the same at reduced speed, adriv`v ing sprocket `for said cutter chaindisposed on a vertical axis between` said planetary Vgear and said motor, and rearing 'connectionsV between said longitudinal shaft and said driving sprocket. 7. In a mining machine, a frame, acutter bar extending yorvvardly from said `frame and having a cutter chain `mounted theie.

on, a motor at the rear endof said frame,

a longitudinal shaft disposed above said cutter bar and connected` withv said motor,

feed operating mechanism: mounted on said traine forwardlycf said-,motor `comprising winding means arranged on a transverse axis having flexible feedingmeans connected therewith, the peripheries ofsaid `wind? i ing means extending Vbelow theto oisaid cutter bar on opposite sides thereo a plane-- tary gearreduction device-mounted concentrically with said longitudinalA shaft and operatively connected withsaid feed operat-vv ing mechanism` for drivingvlthesa'me at re-y duced speed, a drivingI sprocket 'fori said cutter vchain disposedon "a vertical axisbetween saidjplanetary gear and said motor,

and gearing connections between lsaid longi" tudinal shaft and saiddriving sprocket. n

V8. In a mining machine, a frame, a cutter -bar `extending forwardly from lsaid frame' and having a Ycutterchain mounted there` on, a motor at Vthe'rear end `of said frame, a longitudinal shaft disposed above said cutter barand connected `withsaid motor,

lfeed operatingy mechanism mounted on said frame'lforwardly ofsaid motor comprising winding means arranged on a, transverse airis having flexible feeding means connected therewith, the peripheries of said winding means extending below the top of said cutter bar, and a planetary gear reduction device mounted concentrically with said longitudinal shaft and operatively connected with said feed operating mechanism for driving the same at reduced speed.

9. In a mining machine, a frame, a cutter bar extending forwardly from said frame and having a cutter chain mounted thereon, a motor at the rear end of said frame whose lower margin is below the top of said cutter bar, a longitudinal shaft disposed above said cutter bar and connected with said motor, a pair of feed operating mechanisms mounted on opposite sides of said frame forwardly of said motor, a planetary gear reduction device mounted concentrically with said longitudinal shaft and operatively connected with said feed operating mechanism for driving either at reduced speed, a driving sprocket for said cutter c ain disposed on a vertical axis between said planetary gear and said motor, and gearing connections between said longitudinal shaft and said driving sprocket.

10. In a mining machine, a frame, a cutter bar extending forwardly from said frame and having a cutter chain mounted thereon, va motor at the rear end of said frame whose lower margin is below the top of said cutter bar, a longitudinal shaft disposed above said cutter bar and connected with said motor, a pair of feed operating mechanisms mounted on opposite sides of said frame forwardly of said motor, a gear reduction device mounted concentrically with said longitudinal shaft and operatively connected with. said feed operating mechanismfor driving either at reduced speed, a driving sprocket for said cutter chain disposed on a vertical axis between said reduc-` tion gear and said motor, and gearing connections between said longitudinal shaft and said driving sprocket.

Il. In a mining machine, a f 'ame,a cutter bar extending forwardly from said frame and having a cutter chain mounted thereon, a motor at the rear .end of said frame whose lower margin is below the top of said cutter bar, a longitudinal shaft disposed above said cutter bar and connected with said motor, a pair of feed operating mechanisms mounted on opposite sides of said frame forwardly of said motor, and a planetary gear reduction device mounted concentrically with said longitudinal shaft and operatively connected with said feed operating mechanism for driving either at reduced speed. n

12. In a mining machine, a frame, a cutter ybar extending forwardly from said frame and having a cutter chain mounted thereon, a motor at the rear end of said frame, a longitudinal shaft disposed above said cutter bar and connected with .said motor, feed operating mechanisms mounted on transverse axes at opposite sides of said frame forwardly of said motor, a planetary gear reduction device mounted concentrirally with said longitudinal shaft, a transversely disposed shaft forwardly of the axis of said feed mechanism having clutch meehanism thereon for selectively engaging either of said feed operating mechanisms with said gear reduction device, a driving sprocket for said cutter chain disposed on a vertical axis between said planetary near and said motor, and gearing conmrctions he tween said longitudinal shaft and said driving sprocket.

13. In a mining machine, a frame, a cutter bar extending forwardly from .said frameand having a cutter chain mounted thereon, a motor at the rear end of said frame, a longitudinal shaft disposed above said cutter har and connected with said motor, feed operating mechanisms mounted on transverse. axes at opposite sides of ,said frame forwardly of said motor, a planetary gar reduction di., 'ice mounted ronrentrimilly with said longitudinal shaft, and a transversely disposed shaft forwardly of the axis of said feed mechanisms having clutch mechanism thereon for selectively engaging either of said feed operating mecha` isms with said gear reduction device.

14E. In a mining machine, a frame. a eutter bar extending forwardly from said frame and having a cutter chain rmounted thereon, a motor at the rear end ol said frame, a longitudinal shaft dispoyed above said cutter bar and connected with said motor, feed operating mechanisms mounted on transverse axes at opposite sides of .said frame forwardly of said motor, gear reducF tion means driven bysaid longitudinal shaft disposed between said feed operating means. a transversely disposed shaft forwardly of the axis of said feed mechanisms having clutch mechanism thereon for selectively engaging either of said feed operating mecha nisms with said gear reduction device, a driving sprocket for said cutter chain disposed on a vertical axis between said planetary gear and said motor, and gearing connections between said loiigitudinal shaft and said driving sprocket.

15. Inv a mining machine, a frame, a cut ter bar extending forwardly from said frame and having a cutter chain mounted thereon, a motor at the rear end of said frame, aA longitudinal shaft disposed ahovc .said cutter bar and connected with said motor, feed operating mechanisms mounted on opposite sides of said frame and forwardly of said motor comprising drums having cable wound thereon, a planetary lll) readers gear Vreduction `device vmounted concentrically with said longitudinal shaft, atransverse shaftdisposed forwardly ofthe axis ofsaid feed operating mechanisms having clutch mechanism thereon for selectively engaging either of said drums with said planetary device, friction` devices on said drums for retardiiig their unreeliiig speed, a driving sprocket for said cutter chain disposed on a vertical axis between said planetary gear and said motor, and gearing connections between said longitudinal shaft and said driving sprocket.

16. In a mining machine, a frame, a cutter bar extending forwardly from said frame and having a cutter chain mounted thereon, a motor at the rear end of said frame, a longitudinal shaft disposedabove said cutter bar and connected with said motor, 'feed operating mechanisms mounted on opposite sides of said frame andforwardly of said motor comprising drums having cable wound thereon, a planetary gear reduction device 'dal mounted concentrically with said longitudinal shaft, a transverse'shaft disposed foi'- wardly of the axis of said feed operating meclianisiiishaving clutch mechanism thereoii for selectively engaging either of said drums with said planetary device, andV friction devices on said drums, for retarding their unreeling speed.

17. In a mining machine, a frame, a cutter bar extending forwardly from said frame and having aV cutter chain mounted thereon,

a motor at the rear end of said frame, a

longitudinal shaft disposed above said cutter bar and connected with said motor, feed operating mechanisms mounted on said frame forwardly of said motor, a planetary gear reduction device mounted concentrically with said longitudinalshaft and operatively connected with said feed operating mecha-f' nisiiis for driving the saine at reduced speed, a driving sprocket'for said cutter chain disposed on a vertical axis between said planetary gear and said motor, gea-ring connections between said longitudinal shaft and said driving sprocket, and cuttings expulsion means beneath said' motor and driven by said motor. i

18. In a mining machine,a frame, a cutter bar extending forwardly from said frame `and having a cutter chain mounted thereon,

a motor at the .rear end of said frame, a longitudinal shaft disposed above said cutter bar and connected with said motor, feed operating mechanisms mounted'V on said frame forwardly of said motor, a planetary gear reduction device mounted V concentri-` cally witli said longitudinal shaft and operatively connected with said feed operating mechanisms for driving the same at reduced speed, a driving sprocket for `said cutter chain disposed on a vertical axis between said planetary gear and said motor, gearing pulsion means beneath said motor and said drive shaft. v

connections-'between said longitudinal shaft 'and said driving sprocket, and cuttin exiven through said planetary gear.

19. In a mining machine,a frame, a cutter bar extending forwardly. from said frame and having a cutter chain mounted ithereo'n,

ya motor at the rear end of said frame, a pair of feed operating mechanisms mounted on said frame forwardly of said motor, a gear reduction means driven by' saidv motor and operatively connected with said feed operating mechanisms for driving either at reduced speed, cuttings expulsion means beneath said motor, la transverse shaft disposed forwardly of the axes of said feed mechanisms having a clutch mechanism thereon for selective- `lyengaging either .of said feed operating mechanisms, and means for operating said cuttings expulsion means from said gear reduction means whereby the cuttingsare forcibly discharged when either of said feed operating mechanisms is driven.

20.` In a mining machine, a frame, a cutter bar extending forwardly from said frame and disposed-centrall thereof, having a cutter chain mounted" t ereon, a motor at the rear end of said frame, a longitudinal shaft disposed above said cutter bar and connected with said motor, a pair of feed operating mechanisms mounted on transverseaxes'at opposite sides of said frame forwardly of said motor and the rear end of said cutter,`

arm, a planetary gear reduction means driven by said longitudinal shaft and loperatively connected with said feed operating mechanisms for driving veither at reduced speed, a driving sprocket for said cutter chain disposed on a vertical axis between said gear reduction means and said motor, and gearing connectionsbetween said longitudinal shaft and saidjdriving sprocket.

21. In a mining machine of the class described, the combination of a frame, a motor at the rear end thereof, a cutter bar extending from the forward end thereof and havinga cutter chain mounted thereon, feed driving `mechanism disposed forwardly of said motor comprising a pair of feed winding mechanisms disposed on transverse axes, each being associated with flexible draft means and operatively engaged through a transverse driving member disposed at the forward end of said frame and selectively Vdriven by a planetary gear reduction device having gearing connections to a longitudi-` nally disposed drive shaft driven by said motor, a chain driving sprocket disposed on avertical axisfrearwardly of the axis of said feedV winding mechanisms and detachably driven through gearing connections from 22. In a mining machine, a frame, a motor, a cutter bar having a cutter chain thereon, a sprocket operably connected with said moilo selectively engaging either of said drums with said feed driving member.

Signed at Chicago, in the county of Cook 10 and State of Illinois, this 10th day of November7 A. D. 1925.

THOMAS E. PRAY. 

